Potential hypoglycemic effect of acetophenones from the root bark of Cynanchum wilfordii

Synthesis of a collection of nootkatone analogues with diverse skeletons

A collection of ring distorted analogue of Nootkatone including 6 CTD (Complex to Diversity) compounds and 9 SAR (Structure Activity Relationship) compounds were synthesized utilizing the carbonyl group as a starting reaction point.

Chemical constituents from the roots of Cynanchum wilfordii with PCSK9 secretion inhibitory activities

From the Cynanchum wilfordii roots, 32 compounds, including 5 previously undescribed (1, 4-6, 12) and 27 known (2, 3, 7-11, 13-32) compounds, were isolated, and their structures were elucidated using NMR spectroscopic data and MS data aided by ECD calculations or the modified Mosher's reaction. All isolates were tested for their inhibitory effects on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) secretion. Among the isolates, compound 4, a methyl cholesterol analog, exhibited the most potent effect in reducing PCSK9 secretion, along with PCSK9 downregulation at the mRNA and protein levels via FOXO1/3 upregulation. Moreover, compound 4 attenuated statin-induced PCSK9 expression and enhanced the uptake of DiI-LDL low-density lipoprotein. Thus, compound 4 is suggested to be a potential candidate for controlling cholesterol levels.

Synthesis and Preliminary Anticancer Evaluation of 4-C Derivatives of Diphyllin

The natural lignan diphyllin has shown promising antitumor activity, although its clinical advancement has been impeded by challenges such as low solubility, poor metabolic stability, and limited potency. In response, we developed and synthesized two sets of diphyllin 4-C derivatives, comprising six ester derivatives and eight 1, 2, 3-triazole derivatives. Notably, among these derivatives, 1, 2, 3-triazole derivatives 7c and 7e demonstrated the most potent cytotoxic effects, with IC50 values ranging from 0.003 to 0.01 μM. Treatment with 0.2 μM of 7c and 7e resulted in a reduction of V-ATPase activity in HGC-27 cells to 23% and 29%, respectively.

Natural-derived acetophenones: chemistry and pharmacological activities

Acetophenones are naturally occurring phenolic compounds which have found in over 24 plant families and also fungi strains. They are exist in both free or glycosides form in nature. The biological activities of these compounds have been assayed and reported including cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, antimalarial, antioxidant and antityrosinase activities. Herein, we review the chemistry and biological activity of natural acetophenone derivatives that have been isolated and identified until January 2024. Taken together, it was reported 252 acetophenone derivatives in which the genera Melicope (69) and Acronychia (44) were the principal species as producers of acetophenones.

Phenolic and bisamide derivatives from Aglaia odorata and their biological activities

Three new compounds (1-3), including two bisamide derivatives (1 and 2) and a lignin (3), along with 15 known compounds were isolated from Aglaia odorata. Compound 2 was a pair of enantiomers and successfully resolved into the anticipated enantiomers. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and X-ray crystallography. Three compounds showed excellent inhibitory activities on α-glucosidase with IC50 values ranging from 54.48 to 240.88 μM, better than that of the positive control (acarbose, IC50 = 590.94 μM). Moreover, compounds 3, 13, and 15 presented moderate inhibitory activities against butyrylcholinesterase. Compound 17 exhibited potent PTP1B inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 179.45 μM. Representative active compounds were performed for the molecular docking study. Herein, we described the isolation, structure elucidation, the inhibitory effects on three enzymes, and molecular docking of the isolates from the title plant.

Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight., Cynanchum bungei Decne. and Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsl.: Current Research and Prospects

Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight. (CA), Cynanchum bungei Decne. (CB) and Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsl. (CW) are three close species belonging to the Asclepiadaceous family, and their dry roots as the bioactive part have been revealed to exhibit anti-tumor, neuroprotection, organ protection, reducing liver lipid and blood lipid, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and other activities. Until 2021, phytochemistry investigations have uncovered 232 compounds isolated from three species, which could be classified into C21-steroids, acetophenones, terpenoids, and alkaloids. In this review, the morphology characteristics, species identification, and the relationship of botany, extraction, and the separation of chemical constituents, along with the molecular mechanism and pharmacokinetics of bioactive constituents of three species, are summarized for the first time, and their phytochemistry, pharmacology, and clinical safety are also updated. Moreover, the direction and limitation of current research on three species is also discussed.

Iron-catalyzed domino decarboxylation-oxidation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids enabled aldehyde C-H methylation

A practical and general iron-catalyzed domino decarboxylation-oxidation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids enabling aldehyde C-H methylation for the synthesis of methyl ketones has been developed. This mild, operationally simple method uses ambient air as the sole oxidant and tolerates sensitive functional groups for the late-stage functionalization of complex natural-product-derived and polyfunctionalized molecules.

A four-protein metabolon assembled by a small peptide protein creates the pentacyclic carbonate ring of aldgamycins

Organic carbonates (OCs) are a class of compounds featured by a carbonyl flanked by two alkoxy/aryloxy groups. They exist in either linear or cyclic forms, of which the majority encountered in nature adopt a pentacyclic structure. However, the enzymatic basis for pentacyclic carbonate ring formation remains elusive. Here, we reported that a four-protein metabolon (AlmUII-UV) assembled by a small peptide protein (AlmUV) appends a reactive N-hydroxylcarbamoyl moiety to the decarboxylated aldgamycins followed by a non-enzymatic condensation to give the pentacyclic carbonate ring. Our results have documented an unprecedent mechanism for carbonate formation.

Polyacetylene and phenolic constituents from the roots of Codonopsis javanica

Chemical investigation of the roots of Codonopsis javanica resulted in isolation of 12 compounds, including one new polyacetylene, codojavanyol (1), one new phenolic glycoside, codobenzyloside (7), and 10 known compounds, (2E,8E)-9-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)nona-2,8-diene-4,6-diyl-1-ol (2), lobetyol (3), lobetyolin (4), lobetyolinin (5), cordifolioidyne B (6), benzyl-α-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), (Z)-8-β-D-glucopyranosyloxycinnamic acid (9), syringin (10), syringaresinol (11), and tryptophan (12). Their structures were elucidated by 1 D and 2 D NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses in comparison with the data reported in the literature. The stereochemistry of the C-2' position of 1 was identified based on time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. Among the isolates, compounds 3-5 were shown to have weak cytotoxicity toward three human carcinoma cell lines, including lung (A549), liver (HepG2), and breast (MCF7), with the induction of 41.4 to 55.6% cell death at the concentration of 100 µM.

Supplementation with Cynanchum wilfordii radix extract for 8 weeks lowers serum total cholesterol: A controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial

This trial aimed to determine the effect of a standardized Cynanchum wilfordii Radix extract (CWE) on the lipid profiles of individuals with elevated total cholesterol (T-Chol) using a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled design. Ninety-six Korean individuals with elevated T-Chol level (200-240 mg/dL) were recruited and randomly allocated to groups that received VasH300 (300 mg CWE/day, n = 32), VasH600 (600 mg CWE/day, n = 32), or a placebo (n = 32) groups. Primary outcomes included T-Chol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride, and safety (adverse events, biochemical parameters, and hematological parameters). Data were compared using a one-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan's post-hoc tests (among groups) and paired t tests (within groups). Values for T-Chol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly reduced in the VasH300 and groups (VasH300: 4.0 and 6.4%, respectively; VasH600; 3.8 and 5.8% respectively; both p < .05) compared with the placebo group and were not dose-dependent. VasH300 significantly improved the lipid profiles of individuals with elevated T-Chol without any serious side effects. Daily supplementation with VasH might be an alternative strategy with which to modify cholesterol-related parameters, especially in individuals with elevated T-Chol levels.

Isolation of evolvulic acids B and C, two new components of crude resin glycoside fraction from Evolvulus alsinoides

Two new glycosidic acids, evolvulic acids B and C (1 and 2), along with a known one, evolvulic acid A (3), were isolated from the glycosidic acid fraction afforded by alkaline hydrolysis of crude resin glycosides from Evolvulus alsinoides whole plants. Their structures were characterized by the spectroscopic data and chemical evidences. Compounds 1 and 2 are both defined as tetrasaccharides, composed of D-fucose, D-glucose, L-rhamnose or D-galactose units. Their aglycones are identified to be a distinctive 3S,11R,14R-trihydroxyhexadecanoic acid, which is only discovered from E. alsinoides up to now. The cytotoxic and anti-migration activities of compounds 1-3 were also tested.

Cynanchum bungei Decne and its two related species for "Baishouwu": A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cynanchum bungei Decne. (CB) (Asclepiadaceae) and its two related species Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight. (CA) and Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsl. (CW) are well known Chinese herbal medicines known by the name Baishouwu. Among them, CB has long been used for nourishing the kidney and liver, strengthening the bones and muscles, and regulating stomachache. However, to date, no comprehensive review on Baishouwu has been published.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the three herbal components of Baishouwu with the ultimate objective of providing a guide for future scientific and therapeutic potential use of Baishouwu.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A literature search was undertaken on CB, CA and CW by analyzing the information from scientific databases (SciFinder, Pubmed, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Baidu Scholar). Information was also gathered from local classic herbal literatures and conference papers on ethnopharmacology and the information provided in this review has been obtained from peer-reviewed papers.

RESULTS

Comparative analysis of literature search indicate that ethnopharmacological use of CB was recorded in China, however, CA and CW have been used in China, Korea and Japan. To date, 151 chemical compounds have been isolated from these species, and the major chemical constituents have been revealed to be acetophenones, C₂₁-steroids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. These compounds and extracts have been proven to exhibit significant pharmacological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hypolipidemic, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective, antifungal, antiviral, anti-depressant, vasodilating and estrogenic activities.

CONCLUSIONS

CB, CA and CW collectively known as Baishouwu are valuable medicinal herbs with multiple pharmacological activities. The traditional use for nourishing liver is closely associated with the hepatoprotective activity. The available literature performs that various of the activity of Baishouwu can be attributed to acetophenones and C₂₁-steroids. It is high time that more efforts should be focused on the underlying mechanisms of their beneficial bioactivities and the structure activity relationship of the constituents, as well as their potential synergistic and antagonistic effects. The proper toxicology evaluation is crucial to guarantee the safety, efficacy, and eligibility for medical use. Further research on the comprehensive evaluation of medicinal quality and the understanding of multi-target network pharmacology of Baishouwu is in great request.

Arvensic acids K and L, components of resin glycoside fraction from Convolvulus arvensis

Alkaline hydrolysis of the resin glycoside fraction of the whole plants of Convolvulus arvensis gave two new glycosidic acids, named arvensic acids K and L (1 and 2). Their structures were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic data as well as chemical evidence. They possessed a same pentasaccharide chain, composed of one D-fucose, three D-glucose and one L-rhamnose units. The aglycone of compound 1 was identified to be rarely existing 11S-hydroxyheptadecanoic acid, while compound 2 possessed 11S-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid as the aglycone. Their cytotoxic and anti-migration activities were also evaluated.

Enriching Beneficial Microbial Diversity of Indoor Plants and Their Surrounding Built Environment With Biostimulants

Microbial diversity is suggested as the key for plant and human health. However, how microbial diversity can be enriched is largely unknown but of great interest for health issues. Biostimulants offer the way to directly augment our main living areas by the healthy microbiome of indoor plants. Here, we investigated shifts of the microbiome on leaves of spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) and its surrounding abiotic surfaces in the built environment after irrigation with a vermicompost-based biostimulant for 12 weeks. The biostimulant could not only promote plant growth, but changed the composition of the microbiome and abundance of intact microbial cells on plant leaves and even stronger on abiotic surfaces in close vicinity under constant conditions of the microclimate. Biostimulant treatments stabilized microbial diversity and resulted in an increase of Bacteroidetes and a surprising transient emerge of new phyla, e.g., Verrucomicrobia, Acidobacteria, and Thaumarchaeota. The proportion of potentially beneficial microorganisms like Brevibacillus, Actinoallomurus, Paenibacillus, Sphaerisporangium increased relatively; microbial diversity was stabilized, and the built environment became more plant-like. Detected metabolites like indole-3-acetic acid in the biostimulant were potentially contributed by species of Pseudomonas. Overall, effects of the biostimulant on the composition of the microbiome could be predicted with an accuracy of 87%. This study shows the potential of biostimulants not only for the plant itself, but also for other living holobionts like humans in the surrounding environment.